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Virgin Blue Welcomes Sister Carrier’s Australian Flight Plan

Virgin Blue Airlines has congratulated its sister carrier, London based Virgin Atlantic Airways, on negotiating rights to bring its outstanding flights to Australian shores next year.

Virgin Group’s full service International long haul carrier, Virgin Atlantic, announced plans to launch services between Hong Kong and Sydney, following successful negotiations between UK and Hong Kong authorities. The airline currently flies daily from London to the Asian hub but up until now, didn’t have Hong Kong Government permission to continue on to Australia.

The airline will now work with the European Commission to secure final approval, which would bring significant competition to the Kangaroo Route.

Virgin Blue has welcomed the news and is gearing up to join forces with Virgin Atlantic to bring the benefits of competition to the travelling public.

Spokesperson Amanda Bolger said, “This is fantastic news for Atlantic and for people travelling to and from Australia to Hong Kong and London.”

She continued, “Our code-share relationship with United Airlines has proven that a value based airline can maintain a strong working relationship with a full service carrier without impacting its benchmark low cost base.

We very much look forward to working with Virgin Atlantic. The award-winning product has set new standards in long haul flying and while it is quite different to Virgin Blue’s domestic product, both carrier’s are looking after consumers by challenging the incumbents with innovation, great staff, value for money and world class service.”

Virgin Atlantic expects to launch daily flights between Sydney and London via Hong Kong with its modern Airbus A340-600 aircraft by the Australian winter (northern summer) 2004.

Some countries require passenger cabins to be treated with insecticide prior to departure. A full list of these countries and information about the use of insecticides can be found on the United States of America Department of Transport website.